Sandy M’s review of Her Foreign Affair (Robinsons, Book 1) by Shea McMaster
Contemporary Romance published by Lyrical Shine 9 Jun 15
While some of this book’s content has been used over and over again in romance, what kept me reading are Court and Randi. Even their younger selves are engaging and charming, but they’re really enjoyable as mature characters when they meet again twenty years after their worlds fell apart and they made the most of their lives, given the situation as they each saw it at the time.
Randi – or Jean as she was know in her younger days – left England heartbroken and pregnant when she discovered Courtland was getting set to marry his pregnant ex. She wouldn’t make him choose either her or either child on the way. The best thing to do was to head home and raise their child on her own. She does get married, luckily to a man who loves her daughter like his own. They have a good life, and now she’s been alone for the last couple of years since her husband’s death. Thanksgiving dinner is in the works and Randi is expecting Birdie home any minute. She’ll have in tow a new friend from college, along with the guy’s father. Randi’s father and a co-worker are also on their way. She has a lot to be thankful for.
What she doesn’t expect is Courtland to be standing in her living room again after so many years. Not sure what to do with that or him, Randi carries on the holiday as best she can – in between questions and flirtations from Court. The man has been looking for her forever and never once has any trace of her been found. To stumble into her home like this is simply amazing. And Court is not about to let go of Jean – Randi again. He’s loved her every minute they’ve been apart and now is his chance and their time. He’s going for it, no matter what he has to do – even move part of his business from London to California if that’s what it takes. I really like Court. He has the charm down pat and you feel his love, no matter who it’s for, in every scene.
Of course, there’s another huge hurdle to get over. Birdie, their daughter, doesn’t know about Court or the fact Drew is her brother. Their budding relationship needs to be nipped. Birdie, of course, is the one who becomes angry at the entire situation, not wanting much to do with either Randi or Court. Drew, on the other hand, as he’s wont to do in his life, takes everything in stride. The kids head back to school, and that gives their parents time to try to make things work. Court whisks Randi off to New York, where he has some unavoidable business. Unfortunately, things don’t go well or at least as they’d hoped, and Randi once again leaves Court behind instead of confronting him and asking questions. She obviously hasn’t learned from the past. That’s my only nitpick about her.
Before Court can follow and try to figure out what went wrong, he’s called back to England for a family emergency. Birdie finally comes to her senses – thank goodness, because she was my least favorite character up to this point – and lands on Court’s doorstep unannounced. I enjoyed the scenes between her and her British grandmother, two birds and all that. The scenes with Birdie – who now wants to be known by her birth name, Courtney – and her father are also nicely done. Now they only have to get Randi in residence for Court to use his charm on her once again and their happily ever after will be assured. Right?
I do have to mention my unhappiness with the cover for this book. It would have been much better depicting an older couple, since that’s who we’re reading about in 95% of the story. Also, there is no way the man on this cover is anything like the wealthy upper-crust Englishman Court is. All of which is neither here nor there as far as my review and grade, but I’m a cover girl. I like covers to be at least close to what I’m reading, and that happens most of the time. This one just doesn’t work one bit.
All in all, however, this is a good story with a couple of little issues, but if you give the characters a chance, they’ll make it worth your while to cuddle up with them for a few hours.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Twenty-two years ago, she ran out on the love of her life—and took a secret with her.
When Randi Jean Ferguson fell for Courtland Robinson while studying abroad in London, she was ready for a life of tea and crumpets. But when she discovered Court was being forced into a shotgun wedding, there was no way she could stay—or tell him she was also pregnant with his child. Now widowed, Randi is just starting to consider finding Court—when he shows up at her door. With his son. Randi’s not ready to reveal everything to Court, but if she doesn’t will both their children end up scarred?The best thing to come out of Court’s unhappy marriage was his son. But he’s spent the last twenty-two years thinking about Randi, his California girl, his first—and only—love. Now a widower, he takes a chance he’s only fantasized about and seeks her out. At last he’ll solve his heart’s greatest mystery—but that won’t be the only surprise in store for him.
No excerpt available.
